Indeed, Peter Jackson has played a pivotal role in all aspects of life on this unique estate, as well as the St John Bosco Club and Newry Shamrocks AC. One of his sons, Brendan, is manager of Newry Credit Union, while a daughter, Patricia, is married to Tom Kelly, prominent with the City Centre Partnership and the Newry-Pittsburg Partnership. His grandfather, also named Tom Kelly, was an Old IRA veteran, and later chairman of Newry Urban Council.

Born on a small farm at Cloghogue, Peter Jackson was son of the legendary Matt Jackson, who participated in the War of Independence. Leaving school at the age of 14 years, he worked on the family farm, and has fond memories of the good times, including the threshing, �when small farmers and their families went from one neighbour�s house to the next, helping out in Spring and Autumn.

Going to sea on his 17th birthday, Peter Jackson began with the Fishers cross-channel fleet, then oil tankers, and ocean liners. He finally abandoned the maritime life, because of the `Troubles,` since he was then married with a family. �I thought I should be at home, especially to help rear the boys, who were then at an impressionable age and needed guidance.�

Obtaining a post at the newly-built Daisyhill Hospital, due to his experience of new technology, Peter remained on the staff until retirement, - 20 years� service on shift work. At the outset, he had also got involved in sport and voluntary work. And his sons had joined the St John Bosco Club at an early age, coming under the influence and inspiration of Gerry Brown, John Fearon and Jack Macken.

�There was discipline and camaraderie,� commented Peter Jackson, who reported how his wife and other mothers would organise guest teas and social evenings, both at the Erskine Street premises and the new Youth Centre at Chequer Hill. Loyal to the club, his sons ensured that their own children got involved with the Bosco, as well as athletics, while they would assist with the coaching.

And Peter added: �I was aware that my family had received much benefit from those activities; and thought of the many good people, who had given of their time and energy on a voluntary basis. So I decided to join the Bosco Youth Club and Newry Shamrocks Athletic Club, becoming chairman of Shamrocks for 10 years, and on the Bosco Youth Club Committee for 14 years.

�The late great Warden, Jack Macken, had proposed in the early 80�s that the club should be concerned with the education and training of young people, boys and girls, who were leaving school at the age of 16 years, without any qualifications, and were left on the unemployment scrap-heap. We provided sport and leisure, - but what about their future?� Peter Jackson asked.

Meanwhile, residents of Clanrye Avenue included the McGrath, Courtney, Kane, McNulty, Larkin, McCambley, Carroll, Harte, Mooney, Millar, McCullough, Murphy, McGivern, Kelly, Moan and Hughes families. Various personalities were also referred to by former civil rights activist, John McCullagh on his website, including the late Terry Kane, Cllr Tommy McGrath and his brother Karl, along with Peter McNulty and Maurice Kane.

�The original houses, - Orlit bungalows, - were Nissen huts, way below the standard of other public housing at the time. They were replaced by pre-fabs that persist to this day. What excuse was offered for the erection of those `future` homes, so obviously inferior to others later completed at Drumalane and the Meadow?

�Some of the best and foremost of our townspeople lived there, - we currently have a few Council executive officers, who were raised there. And Tommy McGrath, our most illustrious-ever councillor, grew up in the Clanrye Avenue bungalows. Some of those unfit homes are still occupied in parts of South Armagh and elsewhere,� stated John McCullagh.�

The history of the Meadow estate dates back to the time when a stretch of fertile land in the townland of Derrybeg was the property of a prosperous family of farmers and cattle-dealers, named Rooney from Jerrettspass. They were involved in crops and cattle rearing, - Sticks` Morgan was one of the herdsmen!

However, two of the four brothers, including Dan�s grandfather, emigrated to Wales and the United States. The older members decided to sell part of their property to Newry Urban Council, just after the last war in 1945. As the council was in desperate need of land for housing, they purchased most of the 20 acres from the Rooney family, and handed it over to the NI Housing Trust for development as a housing estate.

The first two streets to be built were Slieve Gullion and Orior Road, followed by Iveagh Crescent and Derrybeg Drive. In the following years, Killeavy Road and Ballinlare Gardens emerged. A small wooden oratory was built for worship, followed by the construction of St Brigid�s Church and St Patrick�s Boys� School in 1974. These would also cater for residents of Derrybeg Park and the Armagh Road estate.

Finally, `a dream came true` in 1996, when a new complex in red brick, comprising 11 units, and a purpose-built community centre were officially opened at a ceremony chaired by Peter Jackson, and attended by politicians, council officials, clergy and other VIPs.

And Mr Jackson declared: �Apart from the congratulations and praise for our effort, there had been the sceptics, who said we had taken too much on, and that our loan from the DOE would never be paid. But we proved that the project could be viable, with local people running their own businesses, and employing others. There has also been an economic spin-off for the whole area, as well a feeling of satisfaction for our volunteers.�

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